From left: Minister Haydn Hughes and Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam cutting the ribbon with Premier Ellis Lorenzo Webster watching.
ANGUILLA--Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam joined Premier Ellis Lorenzo Webster and Minister of Infrastructure Haydn Hughes for the ceremonial opening of George Hill Bypass on Wednesday morning, May 26. In her very short opening remarks, she said, “It is heartening to mark the successful partnership of all the parties involved and mark the determination and innovation of the minister and his staff in their efforts to strengthen the road structure of Anguilla. This is the start of their grand master plans and improvements much required for Anguilla. I look forward to continued successful partnership in our work together.”
The premier thanked the United Kingdom government and the Governor’s Office for funding the project and bringing it to fruition. He said these types of improvement are necessary as the island becomes more modernised and the road networks require upgrading. Thanking Minister of Infrastructure Hughes and Permanent Secretary Karim Hodge, the premier noted that the bypass would ease traffic flow and reduce long traffic lines. He said, “We have to do those things that will help the most people most of the time.”
Project Officer and Roads Engineer Shaynis Connor said the bypass was built along one of the busiest roads in Anguilla. A 2008 traffic study determined that the section of the road was operating at near capacity, resulting in congestion and increased traffic delays, especially evident during peak hours. He said the new bypass measuring 135 metres in length and 14 feet in width will allow for the safe turning of large vehicles and will assist greatly to alleviate congestion and improve traffic flow. A pedestrian walkway borders the length of the bypass along with strategically placed crosswalks. Connor acknowledged the main contractor Junior Fleming of Superior Industrial Equipment who began the project in the latter part of March and completed it in April.
Also present was Minister Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, the District Four representative, who said that the completed bypass is a project that has been discussed for years, and will now provide traffic relief for her district, the commercial centre of Anguilla. She said, “The community of District Four thanks all the stakeholders and the persons responsible for bringing it to fruition.”
Hughes closed the opening ceremony by thanking the past and present governors for supporting the project and ensuring its realisation. He acknowledged that the bypass concept was conceived years ago by Sergeant Delvin Fleming, a member of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, and thanked his team at the Ministry of Infrastructure as well as project surveyor Cleveland Richards, John Rogers and Junior Fleming for seeing the project through to completion.
The project was funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office UK, at a total cost of US $175,000.
